How are wikis impacting education?

Wikis have had a significant impact on education. They are being developed for classroom use to communicate information, plan and manage projects, and collaborate on original content. Below are some research based examples of how wikis are impacting student learning...

Approach 1: Student Journaling
Wikis enabled students to demonstrate proficiency in writing, show understanding of knowledge, and engage in meta-cognitive reflection.

Approach 2: Personal Portfolios
Students had an on-line resource that enabled them to show growth and progress in their academics and behavior.

Approach 3: Collaborative Knowledge Base
Student groups could contribute to a wiki site to develop a community of learning based on common goals and objectives.

Approach 4: Research Coordination and Collaboration
Wikis allowed for collaboration between multiple users who may not generally be able to meet due to constraints such as place and time. Sites became locations for compiling data and resources.

Approach 5: Curricular and Cross-Disciplinary Coordination
In order to accomodate busy schedules, wiki sites were an excellent resource for coordinating cross-curricular units, coordinating academic events and discussing important issues.
source: "Teaching, Learning, and Other Uses for Wikis in Academia," Campus Technology, 11/15/2005, http://www.campustechnology.com/article.aspx?aid=40629

Are there real life examples of wikis being used in education?

There are many examples of wiki use in education, and this list only represents a few of them:

Lesson Summaries

Parental/Student Communication

Collaboration of Notes

Concept Introduction
Class Notes

School or Class Calendar

Student written books

Dissemination of Learning beyond class
Course Links & Resource

Course Syllabus

School Newspaper

Peer Review of Student Work
Handouts/Worksheets

Teacher Information Page

Showcase for Student Projects

Expert or Small Group Instruction
source: "Wikis". CR 2.0. http://www.classroom20wiki.com/, 22 July 2008.



external image multiple_links_disclaimer.gif


Purpose Wiki
Wiki url address
Summary
A. Professional Development
http://cesa5mathscience.wikispaces.com/
Math-science wiki site w/ data analysis and interventions.
B. Professional Development
http://benchmarkassessment.pbwiki.com/
A professional development tool that enables participants to learn the process of benchmark assessments.
C. Classroom Use - Teacher Directed
http://scienceinquirer.wikispaces.com/misconception
Author has used his site to place science misconception podcasts for students.
D. Classroom Use – Teacher Directed & student accessed
http://wiki.woodward.edu/animal_farm/doku.php?do=index&id=animal_farm

A wiki site that summarizes the story Animal Farm, and includes resources for a deeper comprehension.
E. Classroom Use – Teacher planned & student accessed
http://primarymath.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

A well constructed site that includes common curriculum resources and celebrates student work.
F. Classroom Use – Teacher planned & student executed
http://schools.wikia.com/wiki/Physics

Students are assigned a topic of study to research and post important fact and detail about.
G. Classroom Use - Student Directed
http://studyhall.wikispaces.com/
Made by students as a tool for their study hall sessions (includes hw, notes, discussions, etc.)


Click here to continueexternal image arrow%205.gif?height=43&width=96